Wood anatomy of endemic Rhamnus species in the Mediterranean region of turkey

Abstract

The wood anatomy is described of five Rhamnus species endemic in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, and ecological adaptations are discussed. The wood of all species is drought-adapted with low mesomorphy values (range 11-23), high vessel frequencies (277-457/mm(2)), spiral thickenings, low vessel diameters (22-35 mu m) and short vessel elements (189240 mu m). The vessels are grouped in a dentritic pattern with abundant vasicentric and vascular tracheids.